5 things you can't miss this weekend

Nov. 14, 2013

With the sun setting in the background, some of the first skaters took to the ice at the Brenton Skating Plaza for the outdoor ice skating rink's opening for the 2013-2014 season on Thursday Nov. 14, 2013. / Bill Neibergall/The Register

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Brenton Skating Plaza

Thursday

Brenton Skating Plaza, 520 Robert D. Ray Drive, is now open for the winter skating season. Friday, the first Rock the River skate with a live DJ runs 8-11 p.m. Through Sunday the skating plaza will be collecting nonperishable food items to help the needy during the holiday season. $6. Go to www.brentonplaza.com.

Little Big Fest

Friday

The New Orleans brass band the Soul Rebels headlines Little Big Fest, put on by the Des Moines Music Coalition and Civic Music Association in the East Village starting at 5 p.m. Sixteen other acts will perform, including the Uniphonics, Mighty Shady, Diplomats of Solid Sound, Mumford’s and Max Wellman, with shows at Wooly’s, 504 E. Locust St., House of Bricks, 525 E. Grand Ave., and a free stage at Beechwood Lounge, 416 E. Walnut St. $20 in advance for a full festival pass through midwestix.com, $25 at the door.

Des Moines Symphony: The Planets

Saturday and Sunday

The Des Moines Symphony aims high — really high — to feature the popular Beyond the Score multimedia format the Chicago Symphony Orchestra developed to explain what inspired composer Gustav Holst in the first place. So smarten up during the concert’s first half, then sit back in the second and enjoy the work in its entirety. 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Des Moines Civic Center. $15-$55 with half-price and rush tickets for students. www.dmsymphony.org.

MGMT

Sunday

Psychedelic rockers MGMT perform at 8 p.m. at 7 Flags Event Center, 2100 N.W. 100th St., Clive. The band recently released its third album, “MGMT,” featuring the singles “Alien Days” and “Your Life is a Lie.” The band’s other hits include “Kids,” “Time to Pretend” and “Electric Feel.” Kuroma opens. $32.50 in advance through ticketfly.com, $35 at the door.